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PUC reports limited watershed impact from Rim Fire; salvage logging raises environmental concerns
Summary
PUC staff said the Rim Fire affected about 2% of the Hetch Hetchy watershed and that hazardous trees removal along the right-of-way may yield $1.5–2 million in salvage value; commissioners asked staff to track environmental trade-offs and recovery funding options including FEMA and insurance.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission received an update Wednesday on the aftermath of the Rim Fire and efforts to remove hazardous trees along the Hetch Hetchy right-of-way.
PUC staff said crews removed hazardous trees and coordinated with the U.S. Forest Service, which holds title to many of the affected trees and arranges salvage contracts with mills and haulers. "We actually got an estimate of what the potential value of those trees were from the U.S. Forest Service," a PUC operations representative said, summarizing an estimate of roughly $1.5 million to $2 million for salvageable lumber along the right-of-way.
The PUC reported the fire perimeter affected about 2 percent of the Hetch Hetchy watershed but said wholesale and retail water service and quality remained within normal bounds. Staff outlined funding avenues and noted the presidential declaration for federal assistance had been denied; the department is pursuing a state appeal and FEMA/insurance claims on damage estimates now in process.
Commissioners recommended tracking environmental trade-offs associated with rapid salvage logging — citing potential impacts on erosion, watershed recovery and federal environmental reviews — and asked staff to coordinate damage assessments and funding applications with the state and federal offices. The commission will monitor the state appeal and any changes to federal salvage policies that might affect timing and methods for salvage logging.
